Best Buy Speakers

[klipschfan]

The retail audio market is so cutthroat that many prodiucts sell at 4-6 points margin on a good day. That's why companies like BB or Future Shop try and get exclusive models, so the customer can't compare price and expect price matching.

Lower end, cheap retail products, like the EMP's and Klipsch models at BB are so close to cost already that cost plus 5 may not be much of a deal at all.

He can get them for about half retail.

 

[sockman]

He can get them for about half retail.

This is true, I did some employee price checks today and it's almost a universal rule that you get speakers half off. I really appreciate all of the feedback, but after reading through all of it I'm starting to wonder if it's even worth it. To be honest I really can't spend more than 200$ on speakers, and at this price range it seems like you're at such a high risk of buying something that doesn't sound any better than a set of speakers running for 30$ at a thrift store downtown. I'm starting to think I should maybe just stay content with the muddy sounding bookshelves I have now.. gah!

 

[sockman]

I respect you opinion , but the bookshelves I would recommend except for the Berhinger, are nowhere to be found on your list.

OP, If you want really inexpensive bookshleves that sound good get the Sony SS-B3000 for 85.99 per pair

Next step up is Behringer Truth B2030P at $71.95 each. These are very good sounding speakers.

About the same quality, I prefer over the Behringer because they are more asthetically pleasing and put out excellent sound for a small speaker. Cambridge Audio S30 as low as $199.95 per pair.

Another excellent small speaker is the Paradigm Atom V.6 at around $249-$299 per pair.


Another excellent speaker to look is the Mordant Short Aviano 1 bookshelf speaker for $395 per pair.

These are just my choices, IMHO.

Good Luck!

Forest Man

Missed this post, these are about the only options I've seen that I can afford (aside from the last 2) that look promising. I'm currently using a pair of Sony SS-H700's, the only online documentation I can find about these speakers are here: nodevice.com/manual/sonymans/manual5813pdf/get7324.html Do you guys think I'll notice a big enough difference if I get say, the Behringer Truth B2030P's.

 

[adwilk]

Missed this post, these are about the only options I've seen that I can afford (aside from the last 2) that look promising. I'm currently using a pair of Sony SS-H700's, the only online documentation I can find about these speakers are here: nodevice.com/manual/sonymans/manual5813pdf/get7324.html Do you guys think I'll notice a big enough difference if I get say, the Behringer Truth B2030P's.

The 2030P is a great sounding speaker and an incredible value. Since you're gonna have a hard time listening to stuff, they're gonna be hard to beat. The EMP for 200 would be at the top of my list, however.

 

[ozmedia]

Why not find good vintage?

This is true, I did some employee price checks today and it's almost a universal rule that you get speakers half off. I really appreciate all of the feedback, but after reading through all of it I'm starting to wonder if it's even worth it. To be honest I really can't spend more than 200$ on speakers, and at this price range it seems like you're at such a high risk of buying something that doesn't sound any better than a set of speakers running for 30$ at a thrift store downtown. I'm starting to think I should maybe just stay content with the muddy sounding bookshelves I have now.. gah!

You can still upgrade your sony's by finding a decent vintage pair. There are some really high end speakers available online and from local vintage audio stores/used audio stores and you can probably find a good pair for less than $200.00 that will be an upgrade to what you have now.

Being in Canada, I can't give you any ideas for your area but here's a local store here to give you an example of what's out there. note that prices are in canadian funds, you'll probably pay even less in the US. http://www.iavscanada.com/vintage_spkr.htm

Check ebay and craigslist too. I got a set of Yamaha monitors for free, that sound reallly good for an older, 3-way, paper cone, bookshelf, when someone was given a home theatre for a wedding present.

You can always find something you can afford that will make you happy.

 

[ozmedia]

He can get them for about half retail.

True, that's pretty much an installer/reseller discount too. The retail store's sale prices are generally a LOT lower than regular retail though. So you wind up paying about cost +10 almost anywhere, that's common base margin for any retail business to offer staff.

 

[ozmedia]

The retail audio market is so cutthroat that many prodiucts sell at 4-6 points margin on a good day. That's why companies like BB or Future Shop try and get exclusive models, so the customer can't compare price and expect price matching.

Lower end, cheap retail products, like the EMP's and Klipsch models at BB are so close to cost already that cost plus 5 may not be much of a deal at all.

Correction for my comment above: EMP are not sold at Best Buy, I meant Energy, but the edit button was already gone.

 

[lsiberian]

This is true, I did some employee price checks today and it's almost a universal rule that you get speakers half off. I really appreciate all of the feedback, but after reading through all of it I'm starting to wonder if it's even worth it. To be honest I really can't spend more than 200$ on speakers, and at this price range it seems like you're at such a high risk of buying something that doesn't sound any better than a set of speakers running for 30$ at a thrift store downtown. I'm starting to think I should maybe just stay content with the muddy sounding bookshelves I have now.. gah!

So you can't drive to a pro-audio store and listen to the Behringers? I know one in my area carries them. Of course they charge too much for them, but still I can give them a listen.

For a non subbed setup a pair of 2031p's would be a huge step up from the sony's.

 

[chris357]

has anyone mentioned used equipment? i sold a pair of NHT SB-3's a while back for i think 250. These are great little speakers. There have to be tons of stuff out there at audiogon that fits this price range.. maybe even some bigger stuff too.. Iknow the market on my nht 2,5i's is only about 350 right now and they are awesome speakers.

 

[Fenix]

I would suggest that you put together a collection of music that you like on a CD, and take to your store, or nearest magnolia store, and listen to the speakers within your price range. Develop your own opinion about them.

When I was looking for my speakers I spent a day and more driving around to different stores listening to all of their speakers that were within my price range. At the end of it I chose the Klipsch Icon speakers (links the the exact product are in my signature) and I have been happy ever since.

Now, since you are only looking at a pair of speakers for music, you may want to find some towers that will be able to handle some of the bass a bit better, but if you want to stick with bookshelfs then find the ones that sound best to you.

When I went searching for my speakers, I spent 3 hours going through all my music until I put together a comipilation of songs that I felt hit all the notes I wanted to hear. I made sure I had male voices, female voices, trumpets, drums, organs, electric guitars, bass guitars, etc. I sat in each store for at least 2 hours listening to everything.

Now, I could have gotten some def techs instead of the Klipsch speakers for just about $100 more, but I remembered that I had to mount them to the side of my entertainment center and the Def Techs would not work as they were a bit taller than the klipsch speakers, so for me the Klipsch worked better for the space I put them in.

Good Luck with the search.

 

[klipschfan]

This is true, I did some employee price checks today and it's almost a universal rule that you get speakers half off. I really appreciate all of the feedback, but after reading through all of it I'm starting to wonder if it's even worth it. To be honest I really can't spend more than 200$ on speakers, and at this price range it seems like you're at such a high risk of buying something that doesn't sound any better than a set of speakers running for 30$ at a thrift store downtown. I'm starting to think I should maybe just stay content with the muddy sounding bookshelves I have now.. gah!

You can buy some decent sounding speakers for that price. The Klipsch Icon VB-15's at that store are within your price range. The Polks may be a bit outside of it (even on accomodation), but they are overpriced anyway in my opinion (I have never been a fan of polk). Check the accomodation and I believe one of the models on the Reference Line is on there as well and may be in your price range. Possibly also one of the models of Definitive Technologies even (if you can get to a store with a Magnolia in it).

You can improve on your current speakers in your price. Most of what the people on here will recommend will not come from Best Buy simply because they, for the most part, hate Best Buy and automatically don't like anything sold there and wont recommend it. Even if it fits what you are looking for. Hate to say that, but I have been a browser of this forum for years before joining and thats the way it has always came across to me.

 

[njedpx3]

with Behringer Truth B2030Ps excellent sound

Missed this post, these are about the only options I've seen that I can afford (aside from the last 2) that look promising. I'm currently using a pair of Sony SS-H700's, the only online documentation I can find about these speakers are here: nodevice.com/manual/sonymans/manual5813pdf/get7324.html Do you guys think I'll notice a big enough difference if I get say, the Behringer Truth B2030P's.

You will see a very big difference with the Behringer Truth B2030Ps. I think you would be very pleased with their excellent sound.

Good Luck!

Forest Man

 

[endbegin]

I would also suggest looking at the TSC TSBL bookshelves, there is a 20% discount right now, which brings the price down to around $140, and shipping is free (both ways).

I just demoed the B2030Ps and the TSBLs side by side, and for my config, preferred the TSBLs. Thought they had stronger mids, and given that they have a bass port, the deeper bass response was not a surprise. Also they were just as detailed as the B2030Ps and had a "wider" sound. Although the B2030Ps are designed to be near-field monitors, I felt like the TSBLs filled a decent sized room more completely.

 

[Leonel R.]

^^for the price thats the truth. Even the magnolia lines are nothing to write home about with the exception of a couple of pairs....

Martin Logan Vantages/Summits.

Viennas Mozarts Grands aren't too shabby either.

Can't forget the Mythos ST/STS, which are also pretty good speakers.

I guess that is about where it ends. Although, Bach and Haydn G's are nice as well.

From what I've seen, MHT is working on expanding its product line.

I think if they can prove that people look for these types of products at their stores (not sure about this), then the distributors will open up their assortment to them.

To the Op, you should look at the WAF-1 from Tweak City Audio. I keep reading great things about them, not to mention they'll come in under your budget!

 

[bandphan]

^^ sums it up

 

[chris357]

i heard that since alot of these stores like tweeter and such are going out of business, these high end companies need an outlet. Here comes magnolia.. it works for both.. you dont really have vienna accoustics in a best buy .. but they still have a place to be sold locally for people who want them. they dont have beethovens to audition and they dont really have the feel of a small stereo shop.. but maybe they will improve over time when they start to understand their market better.

 

[bandphan]

You will find that most higher end maufactures dont want to get into bed with large "big box" type stores as their products get poor salesmanship. When Tweeter bought Sound Advice in Florida (along with Showcase in AZ) B&W, McInstosh, NHT, and a couple of others pulled their lines.

 

[chris357]

You will find that most higher end maufactures dont want to get into bed with large "big box" type stores as their products get poor salesmanship. When Tweeter bought Sound Advice in Florida (along with Showcase in AZ) B&W, McInstosh, NHT, and a couple of others pulled their lines.

yes it is a double edged sword. at some point they still need to sell product and if magnolia is the only guy left I suppose you have to swallow your pride and get in bed with BB.

i wish times were not so difficult right now and these stores could be healthy.


i do remember Sound Advice though i bought my first system from them when I lived in Tampa.

 

[sockman]

Alright, after giving this a lot of though I have narrowed it down to 3 different speakers.

These DefTechs: bestbuy.com/site/Definitive+Technology+-+ProMonitor+800+4-1/2%22+Bookshelf+Speaker+%28Each%29+-+Gloss+Black/7656379.p?id=1190678281548&skuId=7656379

These Behringer's: pro-audio.musiciansfriend.com/product/Behringer-TRUTH-B2031P-Passive-Monitors-?sku=600604

Or these TSC's: thespeakercompany.com/TSBL-65-2-way-Bookshelf-Speaker-Pair-P46C27.aspx

I'm gonna try and see if my local pro-audio shop has the Behringers or the TSCs but I doubt it. Otherwise, if the DefTechs sound great when I try em out at best buy, then I'll probably get those. Lemme know if you think the DefTechs are a bad idea.

 

[chris357]

any of those would probably be a pretty nice upgrade for you. i say pull the trigger.. if for no other reason then its fun to buy new stuff